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Hubbard volunteers turn Tylee Park into an oasis
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SPRUCING UP: Deborah and Harry Shields adds finishing touches on decorations at Tylee Park in Hubbard. The couple spearheaded a campaign to clean up the park.
The restoration work started in early June.
HUBBARD — Determination and donations changed the destiny of Tylee Park on West Liberty Street.
“It was a mess,” said Deborah Shields, executive director of Hubbard Area Chamber of Commerce, who formed the Tylee Park Restoration Committee to redo what she called “an eyesore.”
When restoration work started the first week of June, weeds had grown taller than benches in the small park, and the bricks in the walkway were loose and posed a safety hazard.
Now, all that has changed. The park has been transformed into a small, green oasis near the busy intersection of Main and Liberty streets. Hard work and imagination made it happen along with many hours by volunteers.
“There was a theater here, but it was torn down,” Shields said of the park site.
The park was put in during the 1990s in the area of Tylee Corners. That was a tribute to the first settlers of Hubbard, Samuel and Anna Tylee, who came in 1801.
But the park lapsed into disrepair until the restoration committee went into action. It began in 2008 when Kathy Thomson, Shields’ sister and then-president of the Hubbard Junior Garden Club, suggested the restoration as a club project.
Jan Schaller, a garden club member, applied for a grant to restore the park, and early this summer, the club was awarded the Trumbull 100 grant of $500. The garden club also donated to the park.
The seed was planted, so to speak, and Shields met with Lanier Epperson, city service director, about restoring the park. He approved the “low maintenance” design that Shields and Thomson suggested.
From there, “word of mouth” in the small town spread the news and attracted interest and offers to help. Shields said she got a call from Dave Wittenauer of Hubbard Environmental and Land Preservation, who said organization members would volunteer to help.
She also received a call from Andy Kish of Three Flags Landscaping, who offered assistance. He had the brick walkways relaid and built a stone base to hold a sundial and stone columns at the entrance of the park. Kish also redid the flower beds and built other stone walls at the far end of the beds.
“Andy ‘tweaked’ the design for us. He has a good eye for that,” Shields said.
Shields said she discussed a sign for the park with Kish, who in turn, suggested Charles Hughes, a former Hubbard resident and owner of C&C Ironworks. Shields and others involved in the park restoration met with Hughes, whom they commissioned to make the sundial and arch with the name Tylee Park.
“He took our idea and ran with it,” Shields said.
The park is centered with a stone column and the sundial, and beds of neatly trimmed boxwood form the corners of this area.
“Knockout roses were planted in other beds. ... They bloom all summer into the fall,” Shields said, noting Kish also suggested this low-maintenance and high-performing plant.
Crab-apple trees border the east side of the park.
At an open house this summer to show off the restoration, a jazz trio played in the gazebo, which also was transformed by a coat of white paint.
“It was an eyesore before,” Shields said.
It now is a focal point in the park.
The park also has 14 benches, where people may sit and read, enjoy the day or have lunch.
“It’s now a pretty park, it’s safe and it’s something to be proud of,” Shields said.
She also noted another bit of history in the park.
“I found out from [fire] Chief John Clemente that a gristmill stone from Tylee’s Grist Mill was inside the fence of the water-treatment plant,” Shields said.
Arrangements were made, and the stone was moved to the park, a fitting place for it be displayed. Shields said she hopes to turn the stone into a water feature to add to the ambience in the park.
Shields also noted Clemente was among volunteers who faithfully worked at the park.
Santa House: The Tylee Park Restoration Committee is working on redoing the interior of the Santa House, a permanent placement at the park. Children may visit Santa Claus from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 16-22. Children also may drop of letters to Santa. Plans for carolers in the gazebo are in the works. Simmons Country Floral did the decorations.
Other plans: Deborah Shields, a committee member and executive director of Hubbard Area Chamber of Commerce, said she plans to have a farmer’s market at the park next summer and possibly a small craft show. “The park needs to be used and enjoyed,” she said.
Contributions: Shields said donations and discounts from individuals and businesses transformed the park. She recognized Hubbard Kiwanis Club, American Legion, Rotary Club, Soaring Eagle and Handyman Hardware, Aqua Ohio, Lark Land Company, Tom’s Automotive, Fabulous Interiors and Kraynak’s and Sherwin Williams Paints in Hermitage, Pa.
Donations: Shields said the committee continues to raise funds for the park through raffle tickets, gift baskets and sale of memorials in the park. Call Shields at the chamber office, (330) 534-5120.